Mask mandate for most health-care workers to end

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/04/2024 (585 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The province is lifting the mask requirement for most health-care staff who interact with patients.

In a memo sent to the province’s health-care workers Thursday, Monika Warren, chief operating officer of provincial health services and chief nursing officer for Shared Health, said the new rules will be in effect starting May 1. Only health-care workers who assist patients with respiratory symptoms will still be required to mask up.

The mandate had been in place for more than six months.

“Others may choose to continue wearing a mask (extended use) if they wish and medical masks and N95 respirators will remain available,” Warren said in the memo.

“In order to ensure the safety and comfort of our patient population, all staff are expected to comply with a patient/client/resident request to wear a mask. Similarly, symptomatic patients/residents/clients will be asked to wear a mask for the safety of everyone around them.”

Katilin Schilling, who is immunocompromised and continues to stay in the self-isolation she has been in since March 2020, said she is upset about the change.

“There are already so many places which aren’t safe for me,” Schilling said Friday. “But I have to access health care — I have no choice.

“The risk of getting sick, because the mask mandate is going away, is terrifying — and I now have a baby coming without an immune system when they’re born. It’s scary — and a little enraging. All of the data shows we are still in a pandemic.”

The mask mandate was implemented last October when outbreaks of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses were spiking in hospital wards and personal care homes.

Manitoba Health and Shared Health said at the time the action was taken to protect the most vulnerable populations.

As of Thursday, the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority reported COVID-19 outbreaks in two facilities — a ward in Seven Oaks General Hospital and a ward at Deer Lodge Centre.

There are other types of respiratory outbreaks on a floor in West Park Manor, two wards in the Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home and one floor at Extendicare Oakview Place.

A Shared Health spokesman said the changes are based on advice from both infection prevention and control and occupational health and safety experts because of seasonal changes in virus transmission.

Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara said the changes come after consultation with chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin, as well as after keeping an eye on decisions across the country.

“We are out of the peak time of year where we see respiratory illnesses really prevalent throughout the health-care system and across Manitoba,” Asagwara said.

“So, at this time, there is a change in the masking policy, however… if Manitobans are wanting their (health-care) provider to wear masks, the expectation is that providers will do so.”

Asagwara said the provincial government will continue to follow public health advice in the months ahead.

“If respiratory illness season comes around, and masking is the best approach they indicate to be taken, then that’s what we will do. We will follow their advice.”

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca